Great Edinburgh Run: Two near-death experiences won’t stop Martin

COURTNEY CAMERON

WITH less than two months to go until the Great Edinburgh Run, participants from all over Scotland are gearing up for the ten-mile event – which will see them embark on a race around some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Most participants aim to raise money for charity, while others take part to improve their fitness levels.

But Martin Holmes, a father-of-three from Dunbar, is running in the event this spring to help him get back into sport – after suffering two near-fatal accidents.

In November 2004, the 56-year-old was on his way to work at Torness Power Station on his motorcycle when he crashed into another vehicle on the A1 and was rushed to hospital with a fractured hip and a stable fracture of the lower vertebrate.

After making a full recovery, ten years later he was involved in another accident, which saw him thrown off his bicycle and his neck broken.

But Martin – who has always been a keen runner and cyclist – said despite his accidents, he has continued to participate in the sports he loves.

He said: “Since my accidents I have done a lot of cycling and taking part in a few running events.

“The Great Edinburgh Run is a great course as you pass by some of the city’s iconic landmarks – I’m really looking forward to it.

“Following my accident, my hip is pinned together but I can still run. To be honest I think it would have been more difficult to be a coach potato than to stay active – I was determined.”

The Great Edinburgh Run will take place on April 17, starting and finishing at the foot of Arthur’s Seat.

A spokeswoman for the Great Edinburgh Run said: “This is an amazing opportunity for locals and visitors alike to take over the streets of the Capital and run past some of the city’s most famous landmarks.”

For more information about the event, or to sign up, visit: www.greatrun.org/ednews.